A Goodwill worker says the shop is receiving so many donated Labubu toys that staff have began throwing them away and utilizing them as cleansing sponges. 

Featured Video

The stunning declare comes simply months after the collectible plush toys grew to become one in every of 2025’s largest crazes, with uncommon editions promoting for hundreds of {dollars} and followers lining up outdoors shops for an opportunity to snag one. 

The remark suggests the viral collectible pattern could also be cooling off far quicker than anybody anticipated.

Goodwill Overwhelmed by Labubu Donations

In a viral video with greater than 322,000 views, content material creator Aran (@aranisagoodboy) shared a stunning replace concerning the once-coveted collectibles flooding donation facilities. 

“We’re seeing 20 to 30 Labubus be donated every day to the point that we’ve had to start throwing them out,” Aran stated.

When the collectibles first began arriving just a few weeks in the past, Aran and fellow coworkers had been skeptical. 

“We were shocked and thought for sure that they were Lafufus, you know, fake,” Aran stated. “But we did some verification, and it turns out that they were real.”

The employees was initially excited concerning the genuine donations. Goodwill staff get first dibs on merchandise, so staff claimed the primary batches for themselves. 

But as donations continued pouring in, the shop moved the plushies from the glass case the place valuables are displayed to only placing them in regular plastic baggies, promoting two for about $6 “at the normal stuffed animal prices.”

Now, the state of affairs has reached an absurd tipping level. 

“We get so many every day that we literally can’t give them away. We’ve had to start trashing the non-desirable ones and using them as sponges to clean the floors because they actually retain water really well,” Aran stated, although it’s unclear if that half is a joke.

What Other Trends Are Cycling Through Goodwill?

The Labubu toys aren’t the one fashionable objects being deserted at Goodwill. 

“We’ve also been getting huge tubs of matcha and bars of Dubai chocolate because I guess no one wants that anymore either,” Aran famous.

“I think it’s a real shame that this is happening, but, you know, trends come and go, and I’m sure we’ll be getting Nintendo Switch twos and air fryers in soon enough.”

@aranisagoodboy #labubu #goodwill ♬ unique sound – ARAN

From $3,500 collectibles to cleansing sponges

The mass donations signify a dramatic reversal for Labubu toys, which have dominated the collectibles market all through 2025. The plush toys gained important consideration in 2024 when BLACKPINK’s LISA posted numerous Labubu dolls on Instagram and was noticed with one hooked up to her purse, sparking a viral pattern.

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy firm that produces the collectibles, reported $1.8 billion in income in 2024, seven occasions greater than earlier than it started promoting Labubu figures, Time reported. The toys, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, grew to become a world sensation with their distinctive elf-like look and limited-edition attraction.

At the peak of the craze, uncommon Labubu figures had been promoting for over $3,500 on the resale market, with a life-size Labubu determine promoting for greater than $150,000 at an public sale hosted by Yongle Auction in China. 

However, latest reviews recommend the market could also be collapsing, CNBC famous. Scalpers are panic-selling as costs have cratered by half or extra, with one secret blind field version that was beforehand promoting for over 2,000% above retail costs now shedding important worth.

The fast decline mirrors traditional toy bubble bursts, like Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch Kids. Experts have warned of a possible bubble burst just like the Beanie Babies phenomenon, and Aran’s video means that warning could also be materializing quicker than anticipated.

“Goodwill charging $50 for something they get for free is criminal,” a high remark learn.

“Retaining water is so funny to me,” an individual stated.

“Why do people always think you are being serious?” one other identified alongside an individual calling this satire.

“Oh, as soon as he said staff gets first dibs, I know this wasn’t real, I know a few people who worked at Goodwill and they did not get first dibs. They had to wait a while,” a commenter chimed in.

The Daily Dot reached out to Aran for remark through electronic mail.

The web is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single day by day electronic mail. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s e-newsletter right here.